October 21, 15:45 EST
Tension built as the two heroes stood face-to-face, neither one saying a word.
Rather than allow the awkward silence to persist, Spider-Man decided to be the first to speak up. "What's going on?" The web-slinger replied, nervous and confused.
"Who are you?" Batman asked.
"Well, I'm your friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man, of course!" the young hero proclaimed.
"How and why were you transported into our universe?"
"I'm guessing you talked to those other superheroes on that Space Station of yours..." the young hero said. "Look, I don't know any more than they do."
Batman stared down Spider-Man for a few more moments, before deciding he was telling the truth. "You're coming with me," The Dark Knight ordered as he pressed a series of buttons on his gauntlet.
"Uhh, sure, considering I've got nothin' else to do!"
Some distance away, beneath Wayne Manor, the Batmobile instantly revved its engine before the drawbridge—which also doubled as a passage way out of the Bat Cave—lowered, allowing the signature vehicle to race toward its destination.
Meanwhile, Spider-Man and Batman stood in silence before the web-slinger finally asked curiously, "So what exactly are we waiting for?"
Just then, the multi-billion dollar car pulled up to the heroes, parking right beside them. Batman pressed another button on his gauntlet, opening the Batmobile's hatch.
Spider-Man walked up the Batmobile. "Wow... what kind of car is this?"
"The Batmobile. Get in."
"But what about mud mouth over here? We can't just leave him," Spider-Man pointed out.
"He's been suspended in short-term cyrostasis. The GCPD will bring him back to his cell," the Caped Crusader explained before taking a seat within the car.
'This guy seems pretty powerful. I should play it safe and not get on his bad side unless I need to!' Spider-Man thought. He nodded before jumping into the front seat of the vehicle, landing in a seated position. He prompty put his feet up on the dashboard, as if he was already fully comfortable being in a car with a complete stranger. "Sweet ride! Did you make this yourself, or is there some kind of superpowered car dealership around here I don't know about?"
Wordlessly, Batman looked at the web-slinger with that signature intimidating stare of his. Noticing this, Spider-Man took his feet off of the dashboard and placed them on the floor as they sped off.
"So… where are we going?" the young hero asked after realizing he wasn't going to get an answer about the car.
"The Bat Cave," Batman replied stoically.
"The Bat Cave? You don't put a bat-prefix before everything do you?"
Batman simply remained silent and continued to focus on the road before him.
"Okay, I'll stop talking..." Spider-Man finally got the hint.
Unexpectedly to him, the web slinger's Spider-Sense starting tingling before knockout gas released from a small opening above the glove box on the passenger side of the vehicle, temporarilly rendering the young hero unconscious.
The Bat Cave was the official base of operations for the Batman. Consisting of a series waterfall-containing of subterranean caves beneath Wayne Manor, the cave had three levels:
The top level consisted of state of the art technologies such as the highly advanced Batcomputer with an even larger wide screen above it, and the addition of another computer built specifically for the OMACs. It also had a display case for the Robin costume and extra equipment.
The second level contained parking and hangar space for the Batmoblie and the Batwing respectively, as well as separate exits for each vehicle.
Finally, the bottom level contained a personal gymnasium.
Spider-Man slowly came to and saw Batman sitting behind some type of computer with another man; this one was a skinny older fellow, easily in his mid to late sixties.
"Would you like any tea, Master Bruce?" Alfred asked, lifting the pot of tea from the tray he was carrying.
Spider-Man barely heard the butler's British accent. It sounded muffled as he was still weary from the gassing he had just received not long ago.
"I'm okay, Alfred," the caped crusader replied.
"And what about out guest?"
'Argh... what happened? ... oh, right...' Spider-Man thought as he sat up, palm covering his eyes. "...was that really necessary?" he asked, still slightly dazed.
'That gas should have kept him out for at least another hour...' Batman thought before turning to face the now conscious hero. "Sorry, but I can't let anyone know where I go to work."
Alfred walked up to Spider-Man, tray still in hand. "Would you like anything to drink, sir?"
Spider-Man showed the palm of his hand as if he were politely signalling 'stop'. "I'm fine. But thanks, Jeeves."
"While you were unconscious, I began running a series of tests. I'm still waiting on some of the results, but as far as I can tell, you are emitting an energy anomaly somewhat similar to what I detected from other beings we encountered from another universe, roughly six months ago," the Dark Knight explained.
"So I'm not the first? There've been others?" Spider-Man wondered out loud, surprised to hear that.
"Yes, and last time, their universe began to merge with ours. I'm trying to ensure that it doesn't happen again, which is why I created an artificial intelligence system called 'OMAC', which means I'm the one who created those robots you fought earlier," the caped crusader walked over to the OMAC computer. "Fortunately, my drones have not yet revealed any other beings with the same energy signature as yours."
"Uh-huh... so you're the reason I was nearly killed by those machines?" the young hero asked.
"The OMACs were designed to immobilize, not kill."
"Well that makes me feel better... I guess..."
"As I was saying, I haven't detected anyone else emitting the same energy frequency as yours so far, but I should have more answers as soon as the results are back," Batman revealed. "Getting you home won't be easy, either. First I'll have to determine exactly how you got here in the first place."
"I doubt even Google has the answers to that," the teenage superhero quipped.
"You probably won't be going back to your universe any time soon..." Batman added, hoping the web-slinger would realize the seriousness of his situation.
"What am I going to do?" Spider-Man exclaimed, saddened. "My Aunt, she... she just lost her husband last year... I'm all she has left!... I might never see my family or my friends ever again..."
Hearing those words, Bruce couldn't help but to think about his parents. He knew what it was like to lose the most important people in his life. At that moment, the Dark Knight actually came to sympathize with the young superhero from another universe.
"Since it'll be a while until you're sent back to your own universe, you'll need a place to stay," Batman said. "I can get you a job. The starting salary should be enough for you to at least rent an apartment."
Beneath his mask, Peter's eyes widened in surprise. "For me? You shouldn't have... wait, what's the job exactly?"
"I have a friend who owns a large company called Wayne Enterprises, I-" the caped crusader began before being interrupted.
"I can't have a job like that! I haven't even graduated from school yet!" The web-slinger said, cutting Batman off.
"How old are you?"
"Umm, well, sixteen years old, but I'm intelligent for my age!" he revealed.
"Sixteen years old?" Alfred interjected. "My word, you shouldn't be living on your own anyway."
"Fine then," Batman spoke up. "I can get you enrolled in Gotham Academy. No job. I'll arrange for you to receive a tour from a fellow student named Dick Grayson. You'll be in 10th grade, while he's in the 9th."
"High school?" Spider-Man immediately reacted. "Lots of great times there..."
"You'll start next on Monday." Batman then turned to his butler. "Alfred, set up a room for our new guest."
"Right away, sir."
"One more thing... in order to get you a scholarship, I'll need to know who you really are."
The web-slinger paused for a moment. "...can I trust you?" he asked, wanting some assurance that his secret would be kept.
Batman lowered the upper piece of his cowl as if it were a hoodie, revealing himself to be Bruce Wayne, the C.E.O. of Wayne Enterprises. "Bruce Wayne," he answered, offering the web-slinger his hand.
The young superhero took off his mask in return. "Peter Parker," he retorted as he shook Bruce's hand.
"Let's take you to your new room. Follow me, Master Peter." Alfred took the lead.
'Master? Now I have a butler too? I'm gonna love this place...' Peter thought to himself.
"Master Dick has more clothes than he knows what to do with. I will put some of them in your closet tonight, and have your costume dry cleaned by morning," the british butler offered.
Peter continued to follow upstairs to his new bedroom in Wayne Manor.
October 23, 07:29 EST
Days later found Peter fast asleep in his new bedroom. Next to his bed was a digital alarm clock that showed 7:29 AM in green letters.
7:30 AM
The set alarm blared loudly enough to wake Peter up. Still sleepy and annoyed, he reached out his left arm to shut it off.
The teen took more time than necessary to get out of bed before preparing for the first day at his new school.
Peter opened up the closet and grabbed a gray shirt and dark blue jeans. Before putting them overtop, he slipped on the majority of his costume, only without the gloves, boots, and mask, which he had already put in his backpack.
Peter walked downstairs, and on the table, he saw that Alfred had prepared lunches for both him and Dick. He quickly grabbed the lunch bag labelled "Peter" and left the mansion.
It was a clear and sunny day as Peter began walking to school. On his way, he ran behind a nearby car. With the shot of a web line, he emerged fully in costume, opting to take the far more efficient method of web swinging.
Meanwhile, beneath Wayne Manor, Dick used his time before school to have an early morning workout in the Bat Cave. He was just finishing up on the trampoline, completing a double front flip in mid-air before gracefully landing on the floor below.
Not long after, Bruce walked into the gymnasium. "Aren't you going to be late for school?"
"I'm just finishing up," Dick replied. "By the way, Alfred told me about our new guest while I was away this weekend. Thanks for the heads up," he added in a sarcastic tone.
Bruce ignored the sarcasm. "It's only temporary. As soon as I find a way to get him back home, he will be staying with us. His name is Peter Parker."
"Back home?" Dick replied, confused.
"It's a long story, but he seems to have been transported here from another dimension," Bruce revealed, shocking the boy.
"What? But the last time that happened-" Dick began before being interrupted.
"Don't worry. It doesn't seem to be happening this time. But I'm not sure why," Bruce explained. "At this point, I can only assume the universe will remain stable."
"Okay well, I trust if anything does start happening, you'll be the first to know and you would tell me." Just then, Dick began to remember everything his foster parent had done for him after his parents' murders. "...and I get why you're letting him stay here. I mean, you let me live here after my parents were killed... he has no family here after all..."
The billionaire remained silent.
"Well, anyway, I guess I better go and get ready for school," the boy said as he made his way to the showers.
"One more thing, I also want you to show him around the school," Bruce suggested, essentially offering his services whether he liked it or not. "Think of it as a mission."
"A mission, huh?" Dick thought about it for a few seconds. "Yeah, you can count on me!"
Bruce smiled "Thanks, Dick. He'll meet you at the school."
'I don't even know where I'm going... I should've listened to Bruce when he was telling me!' Spider-Man thought to himself, web-slinging from Gotham's many skyscrapers, unsure which direction he was even headed in.
A few blocks away in an alleyway, two criminals wearing black ski-masks were attempting to mug an innocent woman.
"Help me!" The woman screamed, fearful for her life.
"Hand over the purse, lady!" the first mugger exclaimed as he pulled out a handgun, aiming it at the woman's skull.
"AHHH!" the women screamed at the top of her lungs.
"I really hope my friend here doesn't have to ask you again," the other mugger advised. "He's not always this generous!"
Near by, the spider-themed hero swung onto a nearby gargoyle statue above the two criminals and the woman, crouching down into a kneeling position as he observed them.
"No, stop! Just take it!" the female victim shouted before reluctantly handing the purse over.
"All right man. Now let's get outta here before Batman comes," the second mugged anxiously urged.
"You know Batman don't usually work in daytime," the first mugger assured him. "Quit bein' a baby!"
Spider-Man jumped off the building and landed safely on the ground.
The muggers immediately noticed the young hero. "It's Batman!" The first mugger exclaimed as he pointed his gun in Spider-Man's direction.
"Sorry boys, it's just me!" the web-slinger exclaimed. "The Amazing Spider-Man!"
"Haha! Hahaha!" The two muggers chuckled after a short pause.
"Spider-Man?" the second mugger mocked. "That's the stupidest superhero name I've ever heard!"
Spider-Man ran and jumped over the muggers before spinning around to face them again. He shot a web line onto the barrel of the first mugger's pistol before using it to disarm him. Instantly firing another web line, this time it was attached to the criminal's upper chest.
Spider-Man tugged on the web with enough force to pull the mugger toward him, grabbing the man by his jacket before promptly rendering him unconscious with a single punch.
The woman's frown turned into a slight grin. 'Who is this guy?'
"Really? You're in a city with a hero named Batman and I have the stupid name? Talk about ridiculous." Spider-Man retorted, dropping the unconscious mugger.
The second criminal picked the gun up from the ground, causing Spider-Man to receive a tingling sensation at the base of his skull as the criminal pointed the firearm in his direction.
The mugger began firing several bullets at Spider-Man. "Maybe he is a little intimidating and really uptight..." Spider-Man pointed out as he evaded the gunshot's with a series of flips and acrobatic dodges, ending with a back flip as he used his adhesive abilities to remain on the side of the nearback. He then shot a web line at the firearm, utilizing it to disarm the mugger by hitting his face with the gun, sending him reeling. "I mean really, I named myself after an arachnid, but at least I actually have superpowers!" Spider-Man jumped off the wall and landed beside the mugger as he began to stand up. "Boo!"
"Ahh!" the mugger shouted, taking off in fear.
'And I can be intimidating too...' He thought, before turning to face the woman.
"Aren't you going to go after him?!" The female asked, surprised.
"Nah, don't worry. He won't be bothering you anymore," the young hero assured her.
"Well, still, thank you!" the woman said gratefully.
"Hey, do you by any chance know where Gotham Academy is?" the web-slinger asked, embarrassed that he had to resort to that.
"Umm, yeah, go down a few blocks and then turn right and you're there..." The female answered as if he couldn't be serious.
"Thanks! I owe you one!" Spider-Man yelled as he shot a web line toward the nearest skyscraper.
Gotham Academy
Dick stood alone in the Gotham Academy foyer, waiting somewhat impatiently for Peter to finally show up for his tour of the school.
'Where is he?' Dick thought, continuously looking around for him to no avail. 'Bruce said that Peter would meet me here...'
Just outside, Spider-Man landed on the Gotham Academy rooftop. Taking off his mask, gloves, and boots, he stuffed them into his school bag. He then grabbed his clothes, quickly slipping them overtop of the rest of his costume.
Peter walked to the edge of the roof, and made his way off when the coast was clear, putting his wall-crawling abilities to use without anyone noticing. Immediately upon walking into the school, he saw someone in the foyer waiting for him.
The teen approached the person. "Hey, I'm Peter Parker," he introduced himself. "You must be Dick Grayson."
"Yeah... and I've been waiting over fifteen minutes for you," the boy said with a hint of annoyance in his tone.
"Yeah, sorry about that, I... I got lost," Peter said, obviously covering up what he was really doing. "Anyway, I guess we should start this tour, huh?"
"Alright," Dick began. "I'll be your student liaison for the day."
"Aren't student liaisons supposed to be the same grade?"
"Usually, but I was specifically requested. So first off, this is the school foyer," Dick replied. "Now follow me." He took Peter into the school office.
"Before I give you the full tour, you'll have to get your school uniform," the black-haired boy informed him.
"Can I help you, two?" the secretary asked.
After a short pause, Dick gave Peter a nudge, basically telling him to 'ask for it'.
"Uh, yeah, hello. My name is Peter Parker," he complied. "I'm new here and uh... I'd like to pick up the school uniform?"
"Of course."
After a few minutes of waiting, the Secretary handed Peter his school uniform, which consisted of a long, dark blue collared open dress coat with the school logo on the upper left side. He wore it over a white-collared dress shirt, a red tie and beige khakis held up with a black belt.
Bat Cave
Bruce sat in the Bat Cave, on the Batcomputer chair in full costume, excluding the mask portion of his cowl, typing away at his keyboard in order to help Peter's situation in a way a man only with his knowledge could.
"Have you found what you are looking for yet, Master Bruce?" the British butler queried.
"Not yet, Alfred."
"If you're going to spend all day down here, doing what you do, I recommend that you bring something to eat down here," Alfred suggested.
"No time," the billionaire brushed him off. "I have too much to do."
"Which is why I prepared this for you, sir." Alfred lifted a stainless steel dome covering a plate of food. "I have some oatmeal, and coffee for you to drink."
Bruce looked toward Alfred. "Fine," he said reluctantly.
"Excellent, sir," Alfred said as he placed down the bowl and cup of coffee on the Batcomputer's desk.
Bruce sipped his coffee as he continued his extensive search.
Gotham Academy
Peter and Dick arrived in the cafeteria as part of the tour. "And this is where we all go for lunch break," the liaison said. "The food here is amazing."
"This is a huge step-up from my old school then," Peter joked.
"And where was that exactly?" Dick asked, noticing the teen from another universe's face go slightly red.
"Uh, it was in New York City!" Peter revealed.
"New York City?"
'Nice job, Parker. They may not even have a New York here!' the teen worried internally. "Yeah... have you never heard of it?"
After a few short moments, Dick finally had a response. "Of course I have. I just can't believe you'd leave a city like that for Gotham!"
"Well... I mean... I..." Peter's face now went bright red.
"Chill," Dick chuckled, confusing the teen. "Bruce told me that you're from another universe," he casually added, quietly to ensure no one else would hear him.
"He did?" Peter asked.
"Yeah," the boy revealed. "So if you just came here now, Bruce couldn't have possibly known you... no offense, but why on this Earth did he invite you to stay with us?"
"I-" Peter began before being interrupted by the school bell. "You should probably show me where my class is."
Now leaving the cafeteria, Dick finished the tour off by arriving outside the door of Peter's first class. "You have Science first," he told him. "I'll see you after class, I guess."
"Thanks Dick."
Dick abruptly nodded before making his way to his own classroom.
As Peter walking into the class, he noticed everyone immediately began to stare at him. He turned to the teacher. "Hey, I'm Peter Parker. I'm new here; this is my first day," he said nervously, as he walked to the front of the class.
The teacher took another look at his attendance sheet, confirming the teen from another reality was in the right place. "Ahh, yes, welcome to my class, Mr. Parker," the teacher greeted him. "You can call me Professor Loehr. Please take a seat."
Peter saw an open desk near the front of the class and sat down.
"All right class, where was I?" the professor asked the class.
"You were giving us a lecture on the history of Biochemistry," a female Caucasian student sitting near Peter answered.
"Thank you, Ms. Gordon." Professor Loehr began. "Biochemistry is the study of chemical processes in living organisms. Biochemistry governs all living organisms and living processes. By controlling information flow through biochemical signalling and the flow of chemical energy through metabolism, biochemical processes give rise to the incredible complexity of life."
"Hey," Barbara Gordon whispered, trying to get the new student's attention, however, he didn't hear her. "Hey!" she whispered a little louder, this time catching his attention.
The teen took a look around before seeing Barbara on his left. "Hey?"
"Earlier I saw you with Dick Grayson. He's a friend of mine, so welcome to Gotham Academy," she whispered.
"Oh, thanks." He whispered back.
"Shhh!" a handful of classmates behind the two of them tried to focus on the lecture.
Peter and Barbara turned their attention back to Professor Loehr. "Today the main focus of pure biochemistry is in understanding how biological molecules give rise-"
Bat Cave
A few hours later, Bruce was still seated down in front of the Batcomputer, desperately searching for a something, anything, to get Peter back to his own universe. He studied the screen before turning his eyes to Alfred. "I found something."
What did Bruce find? And how could it help Peter get back to his universe? Find out in the next chapter.
– Syrias: Not bad so far. Like where its going. But be bit less descriptive. "Thought internally" is too much. Thoughts always are internal, unless stated otherwise. "Alabaster colored web like..." is unneeded. People searching for a spiderman story know how his web looks. Same goes for overdescribing the heroes looks. Unless they deviate strongly from the known looks, its not needed to describe them. Other than that its pretty good. More plz :-)
Thanks for the constructive criticism. I'll try to avoid using "thought internally" and I sort of agree with your point about over describing the web lines, but I just felt I needed to describe it once so we can picture it better the next time.
It's the same with describing the heroes. After I do it once there's no need to do it again.
– Juila N Snowmiko: Yay! You put it up!
*is super excited* :3
Thank you, I'm glad you're enjoying the revised version!
– BenRG: Don't worry too much, Peter. Bruce has... issues with social interaction that would daunt even Wolverine!
Hahaha, very true. But I think Peter has enough issues with social interaction himself.
Logan and Batman in one room though... that would be cool.
